New Hampshire Senate Bill SB218

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/23
• Refer: 1/24/23
• Report Pass: 3/7/23
• Report Pass: 3/22/23
• Engrossed: 4/7/23
• Refer: 4/7/23

Caption

Establishing an early educator professional development grant.

Impact

The impact of SB 218 on state laws lies in its emphasis on supporting early educators through structured funding. The program intends to match local school district funds or Title II funds allocated for professional development activities. By establishing this grant program, SB 218 encourages school districts to develop comprehensive plans for educator support. This, in turn, could result in improved teacher performance and satisfaction, potentially leading to better educational outcomes for students across the state of New Hampshire.

Summary

Senate Bill 218 establishes an early educator professional development grant program within the New Hampshire Department of Education, aimed at enhancing support and retention of new educators. The bill allows for the awarding of grants to school districts that implement local professional development master plans designed to orient and mentor early educators. It specifically targets those educators who are in their first three years of teaching, or who are new to a school or role, thereby addressing the critical early stages of their careers.

Contention

While there is strong support for the bill from various educational stakeholders, some concerns have been raised regarding funding and organizational capacity. The bill proposes an annual request of $500,000 for the program; however, it does not authorize a new full-time position to manage the grants. This raises questions about the effective administration of the program and whether the Department of Education can appropriately allocate resources without additional funding or staffing. Critics may argue that without sufficient oversight, the goals of the program could be undermined.